The Lost Saint by Bree Despain

In The Dark Divine, Grace made the ultimate sacrifice to save her boyfriend, Daniel.  Now her brother, Jude, is missing and Grace will do whatever it takes to find him.  With each passing day, the wolf inside her is threatening to come out.  With Daniel growing distant, Grace turns to newcomer, Talbot, for help with her powers.  But a voice inside her head is urging her to give in to her dark side, and Grace isn't sure who she can trust.

I really enjoyed The Dark Divine, and I thought The Lost Saint was just as entertaining a read.  I liked the growth of Grace and Daniel throughout this book (though I felt like maybe Grace changed a bit too much; she definitely wasn't the good preacher's daughter in this one).  Their relationship hit bumps that any normal relationship does, but I thought they both needed to have more trust in each other.  New guy, Talbot, didn't help in that area, and he seems to be giving Daniel a bit of competition.  I liked the addition of Talbot, and I like what Bree Despain did with his character (can Grace trust him or not?), but personally, I remain firmly in Daniel's corner.  He's the guy for Grace, hands down.  The ending was incredible, and I can't wait to read the next book!

This was a great read.  The only thing I really dislike about these books is the font they're printed in. ;)

4/5

Also in the series: The Dark Divine

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Anna's parents are forcing her to spend her senior year at an American boarding school in Paris.  For most kids, the thought of spending a year in Paris is exciting, but Anna just wants her normal life in Atlanta with her mom, brother, best friend, Bridge, and Toph, the boy she's interested in.  She's lucky to meet a great group of people her first day at school, and the six of them become inseparable.  As she adjusts to life in Paris, Anna realizes that she has feelings for her new best friend, Étienne St. Clair.  He's oh-so-sexy and very smart...and he also has a girlfriend.  But anything is possible in the City of Light, where wishes have a way of coming true.

This book made me giddy.  Seriously.  I felt like a teenager all over again, falling in love for the first time.  It's a really cute story, with interesting characters and believable scenarios.  St. Clair immediately stole my heart, and I swooned right along with Anna throughout the entire book.  It was such a charming little book!

I realize that this is in no way a well-written review, but I can't stop the swooning long enough to put coherent thoughts together.  (Then again, when have any of my reviews been well-written?)

J'ai adoré ce livre!  (which means, I loved this book!)

4.5/5

Bloody Valentine by Melissa de la Cruz

Bloody Valentine is a novella of three short stories from the 'Blue Bloods' world.  This book is best read after Misguided Angel, the fifth book in the Blue Bloods series, as two of the stories take place after the events of MA.  The first short story follows Oliver Hazard-Perry as he tries to get over his feelings for Schuyler Van Alen.  The second story shows Schuyler's parents, Allegra Van Alen and Bendix Chase, fall in love.  The final story is the long-awaited bonding between Schuyler and Jack Force.

Of the three, my favorite was the bonding story.  I've loved Schuyler and Jack together since Blue Bloods, so it was fun to read their 'wedding' story.  I also really enjoyed Oliver's story, and I'm happy that he's no longer pining for Schuyler.  Oliver's story gives a sneak peek into Melissa de la Cruz's new spin-off series, the first of which is entitled The Witches of East End.  (I don't think I'll be reading the spin-off.)  I wasn't as interested in Allegra's story, truthfully, and I was left somewhat confused.  Overall, I'm left feeling very excited to get my hands on the final book in this series, Lost in Time.

I think the cover is gorgeous, and I enjoyed the stories.  Better than Misguided Angel, definitely.

4/5

Also in the series: Blue Bloods, Masquerade, Revelations, The Van Alen Legacy, Misguided Angel, Keys to the Repository (companion book), Lost in Time (Oct. 2011)

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder - much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing - not even a smear of blood - to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?

This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know....

I tried reading this book about a year ago, and just could not get into it.  I made it to page 170, and then decided I couldn't go any further and returned the book to the library.  I told myself I'd try it again sometime.  When my sister, Kira, told me that she planned on reading this series, I decided that the time had come to give City of Bones another try.  But, where Kira has now read all 3 in the series (the fourth book - of six - is due out this spring), I only finished this first book a couple of days ago.

So, what did I think this time around?  I definitely enjoyed it more.  I didn't have a difficult time getting into the story at all, which was a relief.  I was actually worried that I would get stuck at the same spot and not want to read on.  I'm glad that didn't happen, because I ended up liking the story quite a bit.  Jace definitely intrigues me (I may have a teeny crush on him, too), and I'm interested in seeing what Clary can make of herself.  (I have to say, though, that the name 'Clary Fray' annoyed me the entire time.  Not a name that really flows well off the tongue.)  What kind of Shadowhunter will Clary be?  And what does the future hold for Clary, Jace, and Simon?  Simon is a cool character, too, and I'm already wondering what will be in store for him.

One thing that kind of bothers me about YA books these days is that almost all of the main characters seem much too young to be in some of the situations they're placed in.  I just can't wrap my head around a 14- or 15-year-old doing some of the things authors have them doing these days.  I felt that way with Clary.  She seemed a bit too naive and young to be a Shadowhunter.  I know she had a completely different upbringing than Jace, Isabelle, and Alec did, but a part of me still can't accept that someone so young (barely 15 years old) can do the sorts of things a Shadowhunter does.  And reading about Clary and a certain someone kissing in the hallway kind of shocked me, too.  Don't get me wrong - I wanted her to kiss this certain someone, but at the same time I was thinking how young she still is.  Maybe it's just me, and it's been too long since I was a teenager and felt urges like that. ;)

Anyway, I look forward to continuing with this series.  I really thought there were only 4 books in the series, and knowing that there are really SIX and that I'll have to wait until 2013 to finish the series is depressing.

3.5 out of 5 stars

Also in the series: City of Ashes, City of Glass, City of Fallen Angels (April 2011), City of Lost Souls (2012), City of Heavenly Fire (2013)

Night Star by Alyson Noël

Haven blames former best friend, Ever, for everything that has gone wrong in her life since becoming an Immortal.  She's determined to make Ever pay, by killing her and sending her to the Shadowland.  And if Jude and Damen are destroyed along the way, all the better.  Haven tells Ever that Damen is not what he seems, and when Ever sees proof of that with her own eyes she again wonders if she and Damen really are destined to be together.

Meanwhile, Haven is out of control.  She's chugging elixir like no one's business, and refining her powers so that she'll be ready for the showdown with Ever.  It's only a matter of time before best friend is pitted against best friend in a fight to the finish.

Night Star is the fifth book in the Immortals series, and I am really hoping that the sixth book, Everlasting, is the final book.  The title implies that it probably will be.  I can't wait to be done with this series.  This fifth book just dragged the story on.  Not much happened until the final pages.  I'm sick of reading series books where nothing happens, where the story drags and I want to pull my hair out.  I tell myself that I've come this far...I have to continue.

I hate Haven (I've said that with every book), and I'll be glad the series is over if only to bid farewell to her.  She gets more and more annoying with every book, if that's possible.

Ever finally realized who she's meant to be with in this installment, so that was at least something good.

This series has been like a roller coaster ride for me.  Books 1 and 3 received 3 stars from me, while books 2 and 4 received 4 stars.  It's only fitting that book 5 be given 3 stars then, right?  (Honestly, I was tempted to give it 2, but the ending was so much better than the rest of the book.)

3/5 stars

Also in the series: Evermore, Blue Moon, Shadowland, Dark Flame

Dark Flame by Alyson Noël

In Shadowland, Ever's attempt at getting the antidote for Damen failed.  Instead, she bound herself to her enemy, Roman.  Now there's a dark flame ignited inside her, and she's being pulled toward Roman.  She knows that she loves Damen, or at least some small part of her knows it, but Roman is the one she wants now.  She eats, sleeps, and breathes Roman, and she's terrified that Damen is going to find out and dump her.  She needs Roman to give her the antidote, but she's continually driven off course by her intense longing for him.

I thought Dark Flame was really good; much better than Shadowland.  It definitely held my interest, and I loved learning more about bad guy Roman...where he came from and what his story is.  He's such an interesting character, and I'm hoping to get more of his story, especially now that something surprising has happened to him.  I liked seeing this alternate side to Ever, too.  I just wish she'd learn to trust Damen, and not always attempt to work everything out on her own.  I want her to grow and learn from her mistakes, and I think she's finally getting there.  Damen was his perfect, patient self, and I respect that.  He's had ample opportunities now to drop Ever like a bad habit, but his love for her is true and has lasted centuries.  I also liked seeing a bit of Jude again.  He's now remembered his past with Ever, and he's ready to fight for her. 

I have two big gripes:  One, the way Ever was able to overcome her attraction to Roman.  All she needed to do was think positively, really?  Two: Haven.  She's annoyed me to no end since book one, and I just want her to disappear.  She should go to the Shadowland and never return!  I hate the way she jumps to conclusions, and how she thinks she's better than everyone.  Ugh.  Go away, Haven.

Overall, a really good read.  I'm looking forward to Night Star.

4/5

Also in the series: Evermore, Blue Moon, Shadowland

Entice by Carrie Jones

At the end of Captivate, Nick was killed and carried off to the mythical Valhalla.  Zara, who swears that her life means nothing without Nick in it, allowed pixie king Astley to kiss her, thus making Zara his queen.  Now, Zara is bound and determined to find a way to save Nick.  Bedford is being overrun by evil pixies, and young people are disappearing left and right.  A war is brewing, but Zara knows she doesn't stand a chance of defeating the evil pixies without warrior Nick by her side.  Finding a way to get to Valhalla is difficult enough, but, once there, will Nick even want Zara anymore, now that she's been pixie kissed?

I thought Need was good (3.5 stars), and I really enjoyed Captivate (4 stars), so I was very eager to read Entice.  (I read Need and Captivate during my 6-month blog break, so I didn't review them.)  The bottom line: I liked Entice a lot, but the whole 'finding a way to Valhalla' thing was far too drawn out.  Most of the book followed Zara and Astley (with support from Issie, Devyn and Grandma Betty) on their search for Valhalla.  Their attempts proved unsuccessful a time or two too many, which not only drew the story out, but annoyed me.  I just wanted to know if Zara would find her way and rescue Nick.  Not that I like Nick that much...he's okay, but Astley is the guy pixie I'm rooting for!  You can't help but fall in love with him in Entice.  He's so considerate of Zara and would do anything for her, even help rescue her werewolf boyfriend.  I am completely Team Astley!

The fourth book will be released sometime in early 2012.  Ugh.  Another long wait for another series book.  I look forward to seeing what the title will be, as well as what the cover will look like.  I think the covers in this series are gorgeous.

4/5

Also in the series: Need, Captivate

Misguided Angel by Melissa de la Cruz

After inheriting the dark Van Alen Legacy, Schuyler fled to Florence with her forbidden love, Jack. Now the two of them must embark on the mission Schuyler was destined to complete: to find and protect the five remaining gates that guard the earth from Lucifer, lord of the Silver Bloods.

Back in New York, Mimi has been elected Regent of a crumbling coven. Struggling with her heartache over the loss of Kingsley and with her overwhelming desire to destroy Jack, she must focus all of her energy on a perilous new threat. Vampires are being abducted and their captors are planning to burn them alive online…for all the world to see. Help arrives in the form of Deming Chen, a Venator from Shanghai, who must untangle the web of deceptions before the killers strike again.

As the young vampires struggle for the survival of the coven, they uncover a deadly secret, a truth first discovered by Schuyler’s mother during the Renaissance but kept buried for centuries. And as the Blue Blood enclave weakens yet further, fate leads Schuyler to a terrible choice that will ultimately map the destiny of her heart.

Boy, did I have mixed feelings about this latest Blue Bloods novel.  I wanted to love it because, really, I've loved them all.  (Okay, maybe not the first book, but it was still pretty entertaining.)  After reading about these characters for five books now, I feel completely invested in their lives, so it's disappointing when an entire book goes by without anything really happening.  The story that had been built up over the four previous books went almost nowhere in this fifth installment, which seemed like it was written simply as a filler to tide us over until the next book comes out.  And why is it that authors feel they have to write so many books in a series?  The story could have ended with this fifth book, but I'm left waiting for a sixth book to be published.

I really like reading about Schuyler, Jack, Mimi and the gang.  There were two very noticeable missing characters this time around, though: Kingsley (for obvious reasons) and Bliss.  Where was Bliss?  She's been a major character through four books now, and not even one mention of her in book 5?  What?  I did enjoy the interactions between Mimi and Oliver.  Mimi has really grown on me over the series, and I enjoy reading her side of the story just as much as Schuyler and Jack's side.

As disappointed as I am with this book - it is, by far, the weakest book in the series - I can't find it in me to rate it lower than a 3.  I really can't believe I have to wait until October to read the next book.

3/5

Also in the series: Blue Bloods, Masquerade, Revelations, The Van Alen Legacy

My Top 10 of 2010

#1 North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell

I loved this book about mill owner, John Thornton, and Margaret Hale, the middle-class minister's daughter who overcomes her prejudices and falls in love with him.  It's a dense book, but so worth the effort.  John Thornton definitely became one of my new literary crushes upon reading this novel!  Best read of 2010.

#2 Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

I devoured this book!  Like Twilight and The Hunger Games, I couldn't put Hush, Hush down. Not only did bad-boy/fallen angel, Patch, steal Nora Grey's heart, but he stole mine, too.

#3 Fire of the Covenant: The Story of the Willie and Martin Handcart Companies by Gerald N. Lund

I was amazed, awed, and humbled by the faith of these pioneers who set everything aside to heed the words of their prophet to gather in Zion. I couldn't have done it. Reading about the experiences of these Saints brought tears to my eyes. An inspiring story.

#4 A Tapestry of Spells by Lynn Kurland

This book, the fourth in the Nine Kingdoms series, follows Sarah and the mage Ruith on a journey to stop Sarah's brother from destroying the Nine Kingdoms.  Another fabulous read from Lynn Kurland!

#5 Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead

Rose Hathaway failed in her first attempt to save her love Dimitri, but she won't fail a second time.

#6 Stardust of Yesterday by Lynn Kurland

When Genevieve Buchanan inherits a castle, she doesn't expect to inherit the ghost that haunts it.  Kendrick at first sets out to kill Genevieve so that he can break the curse that was placed upon him, but bit by bit he falls in love with her.  Don't let the cheesy cover fool you.  This is definitely one of Lynn Kurland's best!

#7 Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder

Convicted murderer Yelena is given a reprieve when she becomes the food taster for the Commander of Ixia.  Food poisoning isn't her only threat, though.  Dangerous people are out to kill her, and Yelena must always be on guard.  She ends up falling in love with her mentor, Valek, the kingdom's number one assassin.  I loved this book and I fell in love with Valek, right along with Yelena.

#8 The Scorch Trials by James Dashner

Thomas and the Gladers are given another seemingly impossible mission: to cross the Scorch in two weeks, or die of the Flare, a horribly infectious disease.  This book was a complete roller coaster ride, even better than The Maze Runner!

#9 Promise Me by Richard Paul Evans

Just as Beth Cardall's life is falling apart, she meets Matthew, a stranger who will change her life forever.  One of Evans' better books in recent years.  I loved it.

#10 Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead

While I don't really like the cover of this VA book, I love the story.  The burgeoning relationship between Rose and Dimitri made me swoon, and the twist at the end of the book blew me away.  Definitely one of the better books in the VA series.

The above books rated 5 or 4.5 stars this year.  Only the top 6 received a full 5 stars.  I'm getting stingier with my 5-star ratings, I guess.  I'm excited to see what the new year holds in store for me.

Books Read in 2010

DECEMBER
127. Misguided Angel (Blue Bloods #5) - Melissa de la Cruz
126. True Grit - Charles Portis
125. Innocent Traitor - Alison Weir
124. Keys to the Repository (A Blue Blood Companion Book) - Melissa de la Cruz
123. Matched - Ally Condie
122. Last Sacrifice (Vampire Academy #6) - Richelle Mead
121. Spirit Bound (Vampire Academy #5) - Richelle Mead (re-read)
120. Blood Promise (Vampire Academy #4) - Richelle Mead (re-read)
119. Shadow Kiss (Vampire Academy #3) - Richelle Mead (re-read)
118. Frostbite (Vampire Academy #2) - Richelle Mead (re-read)
117. Vampire Academy - Richelle Mead (re-read)
116. Head in the Clouds - Karen Witemeyer
115. Nevermore - Kelly Creagh
114. Paranormalcy - Kiersten White
NOVEMBER
113. Crescendo (Hush, Hush #2) - Becca Fitzpatrick
112. Hush, Hush - Becca Fitzpatrick (re-read)
111. The Scorch Trials (Maze Runner #2) - James Dashner
110. Dead Beautiful - Yvonne Woon
109. Chinese Cinderella: The true story of an unwanted daughter - Adeline Yen Mah
108. The Van Alen Legacy (Blue Bloods #4) - Melissa de la Cruz
107. Torment (Fallen #2) - Lauren Kate
106. Bespelling Jane Austen - Mary Balogh, Colleen Gleason, et al.)
105. Shadowland (The Immortals #3) - Alyson Noel
104. Firelight - Sophie Jordan
103. Mudbound - Hillary Jordan
OCTOBER
102. The Eternal Ones - Kirsten Miller
101. My Soul To Take (Soul Screamers #1) - Rachel Vincent
100. Promise Me - Richard Paul Evans
99. Extraordinary - Nancy Werlin
98. Sleepless - Cyn Balog
97. Halo - Alexandra Adornetto
96. The Body Finder - Kimberly Derting
95. Mini Shopaholic (Shopaholic #6) - Sophie Kinsella
94. Revelations (Blue Bloods #3) - Melissa de la Cruz
SEPTEMBER
93. Masquerade (Blue Bloods #2) - Melissa de la Cruz
92. Safe Haven - Nicholas Sparks
91. The Joy Luck Club - Amy Tan
90. Blue Bloods - Melissa de la Cruz
89. Dairy Queen - Catherine Gilbert Murdock
88. The Disreputable History of Frankie-Landau Banks - E. Lockhart
87. Just One Wish - Janette Rallison
86. Blue Moon (The Immortals #2) - Alyson Noel
85. I Now Pronounce You Someone Else - Erin McCahan
84. Forget-Her-Nots - Amy Brecount White
83. Harvesting the Heart - Jodi Picoult
82. Evermore (The Immortals #1) - Alyson Noel
81. Number the Stars - Lois Lowry
80. Life As We Knew It - Susan Beth Pfeffer
AUGUST
79. Peony in Love - Lisa See
78. Mockingjay - Suzanne Collins
77. Catching Fire - Suzanne Collins (re-read)
76. The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins (re-read)
75. Fallen - Lauren Kate
74. Whitney, My Love - Judith McNaught (re-read)
73. Almost Heaven - Judith McNaught (re-read)
72. The Dark Divine - Bree Despain
71. Something Wonderful - Judith McNaught (re-read)
70. Once and Always - Judith McNaught (re-read)
69. Eclipse: The Official Illustrated Movie Companion - Mark Cotta Vaz
68. Linger (The Wolves of Mercy Falls #2) - Maggie Stiefvater
JULY
67. Water for Elephants - Sara Gruen
66. Sorcery and Cecelia Or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot - Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer
65. The Two Lives of Miss Charlotte Merryweather - Alexandra Potter
64. Claire de Lune - Christine Johnson
63. Stolen - Lucy Christopher
62. The Beautiful Between - Alyssa B. Sheinmel
61. Maid to Match - Deeanne Gist
60. A Garden in the Rain (MacLeod #8) - Lynn Kurland
59. Sweet Misfortune - Kevin Alan Milne
58. Spirit Bound (Vampire Academy #5) - Richelle Mead
57. Blood Promise (Vampire Academy #4) - Richelle Mead
56. Shadow Kiss (Vampire Academy #3) - Richelle Mead
55. Frostbite (Vampire Academy #2) - Richelle Mead
JUNE
54. Vampire Academy - Richelle Mead
53. The Mountain Between Us - Charles Martin
52. How to Marry a Marquis - Julia Quinn
51. Cleopatra's Daughter - Michelle Moran
50. What Happens in London - Julia Quinn
49. Captivate (Need #2) - Carrie Jones
48. Spells (Wings #2) - Aprilynne Pike
47. The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner: An Eclipse Novella - Stephenie Meyer
46. Fire of the Covenant - Gerald Lund
MAY
45. The Wives of Henry Oades - Johanna Moran
44. Heart of the Matter - Emily Giffin
43. Unwind - Neal Shusterman
42. Fire Study - Maria V. Snyder
41. Magic Study - Maria V. Snyder
40. One Enchanted Evening (de Piaget #12) - Lynn Kurland
39. The Icing on the Cake (MacLeod #5) - Lynn Kurland
APRIL
38. The Three Wise Ghosts (MacLeod #6) - Lynn Kurland
37. The Gift of Christmas Past (de Piaget #5) - Lynn Kurland
36. Beastly - Alex Flinn
35. Before I Fall - Lauren Oliver
34. The Maze Runner - James Dashner
33. To Kiss in the Shadows (de Piaget #9) - Lynn Kurland
32. The Samurai's Garden - Gail Tsukiyama
31. The Walk - Richard Paul Evans
30. Hush, Hush - Becca Fitzpatrick
29. Poison Study- Maria V. Snyder
28. The Wedding Dress - Virginia Ellis
27. Speak - Laurie Halse Anderson
26. Twilight: The Graphic Novel, Vol. 1 - Stephenie Meyer and Young Kim
25. The Kitchen House - Kathleen Grissom
25. Hourglass (Evernight #3) - Claudia Gray
24. The Lightkeeper's Daughter - Colleen Coble
23. If I Stay - Gayle Forman
MARCH
22. Need (Need #1) - Carrie Jones
21. Prisoner of Tehran - Marina Nemat
20. Frankenstein - Mary Shelley
19. The Overnight Socialite - Birdie Clark
18. House Rules - Jodi Picoult
17. Stardust of Yesterday (de Piaget #10) - Lynn Kurland
16. Legacy - Cayla Kluver
FEBRUARY
15. The Power of Love (Kissed by an Angel #2) - Elizabeth Chandler
14. Kissed by an Angel (Kissed by an Angel #1) - Elizabeth Chandler
13. Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen
12. The Warrior Heir (The Heir Chronicles #1) - Cinda Williams Chima
11. Wings - Aprilynne Pike
10. Loyalty's Web - Joyce DiPastena
JANUARY
9. North and South - Elizabeth Gaskell
8. Rainwater - Sandra Brown
7. Sizzle - Julie Garwood
6. A Tapestry of Spells (The Nine Kingdoms, Book 4) - Lynn Kurland
5. Christmas Jars Reunion - Jason F. Wright
4. Mrs. Mike - Benedict & Nancy Freedman
3. Shiver (The Wolves of Mercy Falls #1) - Maggie Stiefvater
2. Deadly Little Lies (Touch #2) - Laurie Faria Stolarz
1. Dreamquake (Dreamhunter Duet #2) - Elizabeth Knox